To the JCU Community:
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that colleges and universities may no longer consider race in student admissions decision-making, overturning four decades of precedent.
The Supreme Court’s decision found that the affirmative action programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the U.S. Constitution and a federal civil rights statute for reasons cited by the Court. As a result, universities may not use race as a factor in admissions decisions. However, the Court found that universities may consider an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life as long as that information is tied to a quality of character or unique ability of the applicant to contribute to a university.
John Carroll University’s admission process includes a holistic review of applicants, considering a wide array of academic and personal characteristics and offering all talented students a place to belong. That will not change. Nevertheless, we acknowledge that access to higher education is challenging for many diverse students, with students of color facing significant, persistent barriers.
Today, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as a central part of our mission. While remaining in compliance with the law, we will continue to actively seek out exceptional students from diverse backgrounds and identities through our Mosaic program, which brings immeasurable value to our campus and enriches our learning communities. This fall, as we welcome all students back to JCU, we do so recognizing that 42.8% of our new first-year class reports at least one Mosaic identity, which is inclusive of all underrepresented faiths, races, ethnicities, abilities, economic backgrounds, and genders.
Irrespective of race, nationality, gender, faith, or other personal characteristics, we welcome all. John Carroll University is guided by our Jesuit Catholic identity and values, which emphasize the inherent dignity of all people and the importance of embracing, supporting, and celebrating all students' unique identities and experiences. Cultivating and maintaining a diverse educational institution where all can thrive is central to our mission and purpose.
The work of diversity is rooted in our everyday words and actions as we partner with community organizations, schools, and other institutions to ensure an inclusive and equitable academic experience for all. John Carroll University is proud to partner with the Howley Foundation, which offers an affordable college experience for low-income and Pell Grant-eligible students who are graduates of Saint Martin de Porres, Benedictine, Villa Angela Saint Joseph, or Saint Joseph Academy high schools. We continue to promote interreligious inclusion through our endowed chairs in the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Furthermore, this year, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion launched significant efforts to support First Generation students through mentoring programs, career preparation, and academic support.
As communicated earlier this week, we established a task force to thoroughly review the court's decision and our compliance with the legal obligations. The University’s dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging remains steadfast and mission-focused. As higher education navigates this new landscape, we will do so with integrity and commitment to our values.